Base edge protection system

ABSTRACT

A base edge protector for use with a base edge having at least one securing structure attached therewith is provided. The base edge protector includes a shroud portion having a top surface and having a recess for receiving the securing structure, a tail portion is attached to the shroud portion and it is structured and arranged to be captured by the securing structure, and a retaining member passage provided on the top surface and extending therethrough to the recess.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a base edge protection system for use in protecting the base edge of a ground engaging implement of a work machine.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Mining and earthmoving operations require the use of a ground engaging implement such as a bucket. Numerous arrangements have been utilized in the past to protect the leading edge of the bucket's base edge. In some applications, a wear resistant member or base edge protector is welded to the base edge between respective tip assemblies to increase the life thereof. In other arrangements, individual base edge protectors have been bolted to the base edge between the respective tip assembles. In still other applications, the base edge protector is fastened to the individual tip assemblies by various forms of fasteners or mechanical interlock systems which oftentimes require the removal of at least a portion of the tip assembly in order to remove the base edge protector.

[0003] Because of the abrasive nature of the environment in which the buckets operate, the base edge protectors are susceptible to wear. Accordingly, it is desirable to be able to quickly and easily remove a worn base edge protector and replace it with another. For those base edge protectors that are welded to the base edge, substantial dismantling of the bucket may be required to remove the base edge protector. Mechanical fastener methods, such as bolts or pins, of attaching the base edge protectors may result in deformation of the mechanical fastener due to forces these mechanical fasteners are required to withstand, thereby making more difficult the removal of the base edge protectors.

[0004] The present invention is intended to overcome one or more of the problems set forth above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a base edge protector for use with a base edge having at least one securing structure attached therewith is provided. The base edge protector comprises a shroud portion having a top surface and having a recess for receiving the securing structure, and a tail portion, attached to the shroud portion, structured and arranged to be captured by the securing structure. The top surface of the shroud portion is provided with a retaining member passage which extends to the recess.

[0006] In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a base edge protector system for protecting the base edge of a work implement from wear is provided. The base edge protection system comprises a securing structure attached to the base edge, and a base edge protector comprising: a shroud portion having a top surface and having a recess for receiving the securing structure; a tail portion, attached to the shroud portion, structured and arranged to engage the securing structure; and a retaining member passage provided on the top surface and extending therethrough to the recess. A retaining device is also provided and is receivable within the retaining member passage and adapted for attachment to the securing structure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007]FIG. 1 is a top view of a plurality of base edge protection systems of the present invention shown attached to a base edge of a bucket;

[0008]FIG. 2 is a cross-section view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1 showing an embodiment of a securing structure front portion and retaining device of the present invention;

[0009]FIG. 3 is a cross-section view showing another embodiment of the securing structure front portion and retaining device of the present invention;

[0010]FIG. 4 is a top view of the embodiment of the securing structure front portion of FIG. 3;

[0011]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the retaining device of FIG. 3 shown disassembled;

[0012]FIG. 6 is a partial elevation view of an embodiment of a base edge protector for use with the base edge protection system of FIG. 3;

[0013]FIG. 7 is a view of the base edge protection system of FIG. 1 showing the securing structure rear portion;

[0014]FIG. 8 is a partial rear view taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 7;

[0015]FIG. 9 is a bottom view of yet another embodiment of the base edge protection system of the present invention shown attached to the base edge;

[0016]FIG. 10 is a partial side view in cross section taken along line 10-10 of FIG. 9;

[0017]FIG. 11 is a bottom view of still yet another embodiment of the base edge protection system of the present invention shown attached to the base edge; and

[0018]FIG. 12 is a cross-section view of the base edge protection system taken along line 12-12 of FIG. 11.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] With reference now to the Figures, shown in FIG. 1 are a plurality of base edge protection systems 100 of the present invention. Each base edge protection system 100 is shown connected to a portion of a base edge 101 of a bucket (not shown) and being located between respective tip assemblies 104. The tip assemblies 104 are composed of an adapter 105 welded or otherwise secured to the base edge 101 and a tooth 108 releasably mounted thereon. Each base edge protection system 100 includes a base edge protector 109 which is coupled to the base edge 101 by a retaining device 112 which, in conjunction with a securing structure 113 which is welded or otherwise secured to the base edge 101, is adapted to maintain the base edge protector 109 secured to the base edge 101.

[0020] With reference now to FIG. 2, shown in cross section is the base edge protection system 100 of FIG. 1 attached to a base edge 101. The base edge protector 109 of the present embodiment is comprised of a shroud portion 200 having a top surface 201 and further having a recess 204 sized to receive a securing structure front portion 205. The shroud portion 200 may include an attached bevel protector 208 to protect the beveled portion 209 of the base edge 101. Alternatively, and as shown in FIG. 3, a separate bevel protector (denoted 308 in FIG. 3) may be used. As is further shown in alternate detail in FIG. 2, the shroud portion 200 may also include a hollow portion 212 adjacent the shroud portion leading edge 213. As should be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in such art, by providing the shroud portion 200 with the hollow portion 212, the weight and amount of material used to manufacture the base edge protectors is reduced and, especially for mining applications, the proximity of the hollow portion 212 to the shroud portion leading edge 213 may create a sharpened shroud portion leading edge 213 thereby facilitating penetration of the base edge protector 109 into the material being removed. Each base edge protector 109 further includes an attached tail portion 216 which is configured to engage a securing structure rear portion 217 various embodiments of which will be more fully disclosed as this disclosure progresses. A retaining device passage 220 is provided on the top surface 201 of the shroud portion 200 and extends through the shroud portion 200 to the recess 204. As shown, the retaining device passage 220 is sized to allow passage of the retaining device 112 that is used with the present embodiment of the base edge protection system 100.

[0021] In an embodiment of the present invention, the retaining device 112 comprises a retaining member 221 having a head portion 222, a threaded shank portion 224, and a tapered neck portion 225 which forms the transition between the head portion 222 and the threaded shank portion 224. The threaded shank portion 224, in turn, is sized to matingly engage a threaded opening 228 provided in the securing structure front portion 205. As shown, the tapered neck portion 225 is sized to matingly engage a corresponding tapered portion 229 provided in the threaded opening 228. As should be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in such art, the provision of the corresponding tapered portions 225, 229 may prevent shearing of the retaining device 112 which might otherwise occur if there existed an abrupt transition between the head portion 222 and the threaded shank portion 224.

[0022] Referring now to FIG. 3, another embodiment of the base edge protection system, denoted 300, will be described. For purposes of clarity, like features used for the different embodiments described herein will be identified by like numerals. The base edge protector 301 of the present embodiment includes a shroud portion 302 having a recessed portion 304 for receiving and securing an end 305 of the bevel protector 308. The shroud portion 302 may further include an enlarged toe portion 310 for better withstanding the abrasive working conditions that the work implements are subject to. The retaining device 312 of the present embodiment is comprised of a retaining member 221 as illustrated and described previously, and an insert 313 having a threaded opening 315 sized to receive the threaded shank portion 224. Although the insert 313 will be described in greater detail below in regards to FIG. 4, the insert 313 is sized to be received within an aperture 317 provided in the securing structure front portion 318. To prevent the retaining device 312 of the present embodiment from becoming dislodged from the aperture 317, the diameter of the insert 313 should be larger than the retaining device passage 220. For all embodiments illustrated and described herein, the base edge protectors 109, 301 are prevented from becoming dislodged from their respective securing structure front portions 205, 318 by contact between the head portion 222 of the retaining member 221 and an abutment surface which is comprised of the retaining device passage wall 320.

[0023] With reference to the FIG. 4 top view, for all embodiments described herein the respective securing structure front portion, such as the exemplary securing structure front portion 318 shown in FIG. 4, comprises an elongated structure made of a rigid and durable material which is welded or otherwise secured to the base edge 101 such that a substantial portion of the securing structure front portion 318 lies at or below the base edge bottom surface 322. As should be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in such art, by providing a securing structure front portion 318 that is attachable to the base edge 101 in the aforementioned manner, the base edge protector 301 may be positioned such that it has a lower height than would otherwise be possible if the securing structure were otherwise located. This arrangement may provide for the quicker removal of those tip assemblies 104 in which the retaining device used to secure the tooth 108 to the adapter 105 is inserted into a side of the tooth 108. With specific reference to the securing structure front portion 318 the aperture 317 is provided with planar side wall portions each denoted 402.

[0024] With reference to FIG. 5, the retaining device 312 includes an insert 313 having a partially threaded opening 315 for receiving the threaded shank portion 224. The insert 313 is composed of a rigid material having an outer periphery 501 shaped to correspond to the shape of aperture 317. The outer periphery 501 may include at least one planar portion 502 adapted to matingly engage a corresponding planar side wall portion 402 provided in the securing structure front portion 318. By providing the aforementioned respective planar portions 402, 502, the insert 313 is prevented from rotating within the aperture 317 when the retaining member 221 is being coupled to the insert 313. It should be understood that the use of an insert 313 of the type described herein is exemplary only and that other arrangements for the retaining device 112, 312 may also be utilized. As is further shown, the head portion 222 may be provided with a socket 505 to receive a wrench or other torque providing tool.

[0025] With reference now to FIG. 6, shown is a partial elevation view of the base edge protector 301 described in FIG. 3. As shown, the recess 204 may be provided with a channel portion 600 to allow the base edge protector 301 to be slid onto the securing structure front portion 318 without interference from the insert 313. In addition, the side walls 601 of the channel portion 600 may be arranged to engage the planar portions 502 of the insert 313 thereby providing further assistance in preventing the insert 313 from rotating when the retaining member 221 is being secured therewith.

[0026] With reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, shown in greater detail is the securing structure rear portion 217 for use with the base edge protector 109 introduced in FIG. 1. For the embodiment described herein, the securing structure rear portion 217 also comprises a rigid material that is welded or otherwise secured to the bottom surface 322 of the base edge 101. Furthermore, the securing structure rear portion 217 may comprise, along with the securing structure front portion 205, either a unitary structure or a separate piece apart from the securing structure front portion 205. As shown, the securing structure rear portion 217 comprises a base 701 having two projections 702 (one shown in FIGS. 7 and 8) attached therewith and extending outwardly therefrom. As is further shown, each projection 702 is elevated from the bottom surface 322 of the base edge 101 thereby forming a channel 705 for receiving the tail portion 216 of the base edge protector 109. More specifically, the tail portion 216 is comprised of a pair of spaced apart legs 706 each having an end portion 707 structured and arranged to be received by the channel 705. As should be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in such art, by securing the legs 706 of the base edge protector 109 so as to inhibit movement of the legs 706 relative to the base edge 101, bending moments at the location of the securing structure front portion 205 may be reduced.

[0027] With reference to FIGS. 9 and 10, another embodiment of a base edge protection system, denoted 900 herein, will be described. The base edge protector 901 of the present embodiment has a pair of legs 902 each terminating at a common junction 904 which is sized to be received by the securing structure rear portion 905. The securing structure rear portion 905, in turn, comprises herein a top plate 908 secured to the base edge 101 so as to allow a gap 1004 (as shown best in FIG. 10) between the top plate 908 and the base edge 101 of sufficient size to receive the junction 904. The top plate 908 may include an opening 912, as shown, that is sized so as to still allow the top plate 908 to overlap the junction 904. Again, the securing structure rear portion 905 of the present embodiment may be combined with the securing structure front portion 205, 318 or it may comprise a separate piece as shown herein. Furthermore, it is to be understood that the securing structure rear portion 905 shown herein may comprise other geometries without deviating from the spirit of the present invention. Such geometries may include, for example, any structure which includes a recess or forms an opening sized to receive the junction 904.

[0028] Referring now to FIGS. 11 and 12, yet another embodiment of a base edge protection system, denoted 1100 herein, will be described. The base edge protector 1101 of the present embodiment also has a pair of legs 1104 each having a female dovetail portion 1105 for engagement with a corresponding male dovetail portion 1108 provided on the securing structure rear portion 1110. The securing structure front portion 1112 of the present embodiment may also be provided with corresponding female dovetail portions 1105 as shown best in the FIG. 12 cross section view. As with the previous embodiments, the securing structure rear portion 1110 may be attached to the securing structure front portion 1112, as shown, or it may comprise a separate piece.

[0029] Other aspects, objects and advantages of this invention can be obtained from a study of the drawings, the disclosure and the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A base edge protector for use with a base edge having at least one securing structure attached therewith, comprising: a shroud portion having a top surface and having a recess for receiving the securing structure; a tail portion, attached to said shroud portion, said tail portion structured and arranged to be captured by the securing structure; and a retaining device passage provided on said top surface and extending therethrough to said recess.
 2. The base edge protector as set for in claim 1 wherein said tail portion comprises at least one leg structured and arranged for engagement with the securing structure.
 3. The base edge protector as set forth in claim 2 wherein at least one said leg comprises at least one dovetailed portion structured and arranged for engagement with the securing structure.
 4. The base edge protector as set forth in claim 1 wherein said recess comprises a channel portion bisecting said retaining member passage.
 5. The base edge protector as set forth in claim 1 wherein said shroud portion comprises a hollow portion.
 6. The base edge protector as set forth in claim 5 wherein: said shroud portion further comprises a shroud portion leading edge; and said hollow portion is located adjacent said shroud portion leading edge.
 7. A base edge protector system for protecting the base edge of a work implement from abrasive wear, comprising: a securing structure attached to the base edge; a base edge protector comprising: (i) a shroud portion having a top surface and having a recess for receiving said securing structure, (ii) a tail portion, attached to said shroud portion, structured and arranged to engage said securing structure, and (iii) a retaining device passage provided on said top surface and extending therethrough to said recess; and a retaining device receivable within said retaining device passage and adapted for attachment to said securing structure.
 8. The base edge protector system as set forth in claim 7 wherein: said securing structure comprises an aperture adapted to receive said retaining device; said securing structure opening comprises at least one planar portion; and said retaining device comprises an insert having at least one planar portion adapted to matingly engage said planar portion of said aperture.
 9. The base edge protector system as set forth in claim 7 wherein: said retaining device comprises (i) an insert having an aperture, and (ii) a retaining member for receipt within said aperture provided in said insert.
 10. The base edge protector system as set forth in claim 9 wherein said retaining member comprises a head portion adapted to lie adjacent an abutment surface of said base edge protector when said base edge protector is attached to said securing structure.
 11. The base edge protector system as set forth in claim 10 wherein said abutment surface comprises a sidewall of said retaining device passage.
 12. The base edge protection system as set forth in claim 7 wherein: said securing structure comprises a dovetail portion; and said tail portion comprises a dovetail portion for engagement with said dovetail portion of said securing structure.
 13. The base edge protection system as set forth in claim 7 wherein: said securing structure defines a gap when said securing structure is attached to said base edge; and said tail portion is structured and arranged to be received by said gap.
 14. The base edge protection system as set forth in claim 7 wherein: said securing structure defines a channel when said securing structure is attached to said base edge; and said tail portion is structured and arranged to be received by said channel.
 15. The base edge protector as set forth in claim 7 wherein said shroud portion comprises a hollow portion.
 16. The base edge protector as set forth in claim 15 wherein: said shroud portion further comprises a shroud portion leading edge; and said hollow portion is located adjacent said shroud portion leading edge. 